China’s Singles’ Day sales top $42bn, Australian brand comes on top

Alibaba Group says it generated RMB213.5 billion (USD30.8 billion, AUD42.7 billion) of gross merchandise volume (GMV) during the Singles’ Day sales on 11 November 2018, an increase of 27% compared to 2017.

Australian products Swisse (first) and Bio Island (fifth) ranked in the top 10 products, whilst Australia maintained its position in the top five countries selling to China at fourth spot. In the first hour of the event, sales of Australian lamb increased 775% from last year.

“Today we witnessed the strength and rise of China’s consumption economy and consumers’ continued pursuit to upgrade their everyday lifestyles,” said Daniel Zhang, CEO of Alibaba Group. “Participation from the entire Alibaba ecosystem enabled our brand and merchant partners to engage with consumers like never before.”

In the hours leading up to the shopping event, Alibaba’s video streaming platform Youku hosted the fourth annual countdown gala to celebrate the official launch of the festival. Viewers were able to watch the gala live via Youku, as well as across China on two major Chinese TV stations. This year, the gala featured international celebrity appearances and performances from Miranda Kerr, Mariah Carey and Cirque du Soleil.

Key highlights from the 2018 11.11 Global Shopping Festival:

Top 10 countries/regions selling to China by GMV:

Japan

United States

Korea

Australia

Germany

United Kingdom

France

Spain

New Zealand

Italy

Top 10 imported cross border brand into China:

Swisse (majority Chinese-owned Australian)

Moony

KAO

Aptamil

Bio Island (Australian)

a2 (New Zealand)

H.C

MartiDerm

Elta MD

Move Free

In the first hour of 11:11 Global Shopping Festival, sales of Australian lamb increased 775% from 2017.

Top 10 categories of imported products bought by Chinese consumers by GMV:

Health supplements

Milk powder

Facial masks

Nappies

Serums

Infant and toddler nutrition

Emulsion

Face wash

Make up remover

Toner

Global highlights:

Total GMV settled through Alipay was RMB213.5 billion (USD30.8 billion, AUD42.7 billion), an increase of 27% compared to 2017.